Activity Overview
The story of “Icarus and Daedalus” is an effective myth to use when teaching about the mythology genre. Although brief, the tale contains many fundamental elements of Classical myths. Have students use storyboards to identify these elements and thus strengthen their understanding of this important genre. Provide students with a list of mythological characteristics, such as the one below, and ask them to identify and depict 3-5 elements present in “Icarus and Daedalus”. Have students include text boxes below each picture to explain their depiction.
Common Characteristics of Classical Myths
- Tragic ending
- Super-human abilities
- Supernatural activity
- Hero
- Character with a tragic flaw
- Explanation for history, culture, or natural phenomena
- Gods and goddesses
- Lesson
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard illustrating characteristics of myths in "Icarus and Daedalus".
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify different characteristics of Greek Myths.
- In the description boxes, describe how those characteristics appear in "Icarus and Daedalus".
- Illustrate each example with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
The story of “Icarus and Daedalus” is an effective myth to use when teaching about the mythology genre. Although brief, the tale contains many fundamental elements of Classical myths. Have students use storyboards to identify these elements and thus strengthen their understanding of this important genre. Provide students with a list of mythological characteristics, such as the one below, and ask them to identify and depict 3-5 elements present in “Icarus and Daedalus”. Have students include text boxes below each picture to explain their depiction.
Common Characteristics of Classical Myths
- Tragic ending
- Super-human abilities
- Supernatural activity
- Hero
- Character with a tragic flaw
- Explanation for history, culture, or natural phenomena
- Gods and goddesses
- Lesson
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard illustrating characteristics of myths in "Icarus and Daedalus".
- Use the template provided by your teacher.
- Identify different characteristics of Greek Myths.
- In the description boxes, describe how those characteristics appear in "Icarus and Daedalus".
- Illustrate each example with appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about Characteristics of Myth: Icarus
Plan an engaging class discussion about myth characteristics
Prompt students with open-ended questions about myth traits, like “Why do you think myths often have tragic endings?” or “How do the gods and goddesses influence the story?”. Encourage diverse responses and connect answers to real-life situations or classroom themes. This helps students deepen their understanding and makes the discussion interactive and meaningful.
Model how to analyze a myth using a think-aloud
Read a passage aloud from "Icarus and Daedalus" and verbalize your thought process as you identify myth characteristics. For example, say, “Here, Daedalus invents wings, which shows super-human ability.” This strategy demonstrates analytical skills and supports students who need guided practice.
Facilitate peer feedback on storyboard work
Pair students or create small groups to review each other’s storyboards. Ask them to offer specific praise and suggest one area for improvement on how myth characteristics are depicted. This fosters collaboration and critical thinking in a supportive environment.
Integrate a creative myth-writing extension
Invite students to write their own short myth using at least three characteristics they identified in "Icarus and Daedalus". Encourage illustrations or a digital storyboard for added engagement. This activity reinforces understanding and lets students apply genre knowledge in a creative way.
Frequently Asked Questions about Characteristics of Myth: Icarus
What are the key characteristics of myths found in 'Icarus and Daedalus'?
'Icarus and Daedalus' features classic myth traits such as a tragic ending, super-human abilities (flight), supernatural activity (wings made by Daedalus), a hero with a tragic flaw (Icarus's hubris), and lessons or explanations about human nature.
How can teachers use storyboards to teach the characteristics of mythology with 'Icarus and Daedalus'?
Teachers can have students create storyboards to visually identify myth characteristics in 'Icarus and Daedalus'. Each storyboard scene can highlight a different trait, with text boxes explaining how that element appears in the story.
What lesson does the myth of Icarus and Daedalus teach students?
The myth teaches the dangers of hubris and disobedience. Icarus ignores his father's warnings and flies too close to the sun, resulting in his fall—showing the consequences of ignoring wise advice.
Which Greek gods or supernatural elements appear in the story of Icarus and Daedalus?
While no gods appear directly in the myth, supernatural elements like the ability to fly using crafted wings and the concept of fate are central to the story.
What is a simple classroom activity to help students identify myth elements in 'Icarus and Daedalus'?
Ask students to use a provided template to create a spider map storyboard, illustrating and labeling 3-5 mythological elements from the story, then explain each in short text boxes below their drawings.
More Storyboard That Activities
Icarus and Daedalus
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